First photos from the acclaimed premiere in the legendary theatre.
A scene from the Opera Handel’s “Alcina” at the Bolshoi theater
Photo: courtesy of the Bolshoi theatre (Damir Yusupov)
At the New stage of the Bolshoi theater held a dress rehearsal of a very extraordinary and striking spectacle — Opera Handel’s “Alcina” (written in 1735).
First, the Opera of the Baroque (that is, written before the classical era of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven) in our country are extremely rare — in contrast to the West. It is even considered that we have singers who can perform ancient music in the right manner. So the performances usually called foreign experts.
A scene from the Opera Handel’s “Alcina” at the Bolshoi theater
Photo: courtesy of the Bolshoi theatre (Damir Yusupov)
In “Alcina” at the Bolshoi theatre perform Italian conductor Andrea Marcon, a great connoisseur of Baroque music and the Western singers, who owns this style (Heather Engebretson, David Hansen, Katherine of Bradic). However, as recognized by the performer of the role of Morgana soloist of the Bolshoi theatre Anna Aglatova, the conductor did not require her to abandon the usual manners — “big loud voices with vibration”.
Secondly, the production of “Alcina” made famous Englishwoman Katie Mitchell, a fantasy which on stage knows no bounds (and Katie and works at the drama theatre, and Opera). So in the Opera, created by the poem of chivalry of the 16th century, “raging Roland,” the poet Ariosto, no, nor knights nor castles. But there are people with guns and camouflage, but in the huge bed in the center of the stage played explicit sex scenes with whips and ropes.
A scene from the Opera Handel’s “Alcina” at the Bolshoi theater
Photo: courtesy of the Bolshoi theatre (Damir Yusupov)
The enchanted island where the sorceress Alcina holds the charms of her lover, depicts modern luxury living room with dark hidden rooms at the sides and a laboratory for the transformation of people into stuffed animals in the attic. And the Alcina and her sister Morgana from luxurious beauties for the moment turn into women and Vice versa (this transformation is one of the most striking findings of the performance).
A scene from the Opera Handel’s “Alcina” at the Bolshoi theater
Photo: courtesy of the Bolshoi theatre (Damir Yusupov)
The production of “Alcina” at the Bolshoi theatre is a joint “product” of the famous festival of musical theatre in the French city of AIX-EN-Provence (this is not the first collaboration between the two theatre companies). First Handel Opera set and shown on the theatre scene in AIX-EN-Provence. And then the show moved to the Grand theatre (premiere performances will take place on 20, 22, 24 and 26 October).